Temperature control device for a shaping tool and method of controlling the same

ABSTRACT

A method of temperature control of a shaping tool or components of a shaping working machine is performed by a temperature control medium disposed in at least one temperature control branch of a temperature control system. A previously ascertained relationship between geometrical data of the at least one temperature control branch and through-flow amounts of the temperature control medium is provided, and a reference through-flow amount is set by the previously ascertained relationship for the geometrical data of the at least one temperature control branch.

The present invention concerns a method of temperature control of a shaping tool of a shaping working machine having the features of the classifying portion of claim 1 and an electronic control or regulating device having the features of the classifying portion of claim 8.

The following discussion of the state of the art is implemented for example on the basis of an injection molding machine as a special case of a shaping working machine and on the basis of an injection molding tool of such an injection molding machine as an example of a shaping tool of a general shaping working machine. The disclosure of the following application however is not limited to that specific case.

In the state of the art through-flow amounts of a temperature control medium for cooling and/or heating (in general, temperature control) of the injection molding tool were determined either in a scarcely reproducible fashion in dependence on the experience of an operator of the injection molding machine or with the assistance of complicated and expensive instruments (simulation, measurement values obtained in the course of a tool specification and evaluation operation, and the like). Sometimes the maximum possible through-flow amount (the through-flow in a temperature control branch or in a plurality of parallel temperature control branches is not limited by any control member) was also simply set.

The procedures in the state of the art suffer from a series of disadvantages. On the one hand they are very complicated and expensive and on the other hand they are not suitable as a basis for more extensive investigations like for example:

-   -   would higher through-flow amounts have an influence on economy         and quality of the shaped part?     -   what effects do fluctuations in the through-flow have on process         reliability?     -   how do different through-flow amounts have an effect on energy         efficiency?

The object of the invention is to provide in the simplest possible fashion an economical method of temperature control of a shaping tool of a shaping working machine and a corresponding open or closed loop device.

That object is attained by a method having the features of claim 1 and an electronic open or closed loop control device having the features of claim 8.

Protection is also claimed for an arrangement having such an electronic open or closed loop control device and a temperature control device and for a shaping working machine, in particular an injection molding machine or a press machine having such an arrangement.

Preferably water (in gas or liquid form) or oil is provided as the temperature control medium. It is however also possible to use other fluids like for example carbon dioxide or nitrogen. The temperature control medium can be delivered continuously or in pulsed fashion.

In the normal case the temperature control device will have a temperature control branch or a plurality of temperature control branches connected in parallel. The cross-section of the passages of the temperature control branches can be for example round, oval or polygonal. The shape of the cross-section is not an important consideration.

Implementation of the previously ascertained connection makes it possible to set a through-flow amount which allows economical operation of the temperature control device without having to rely on the experience of a user of the shaping working machine.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are recited in the appendant claims.

Generally the previously ascertained relationship produces a connection between possible geometrical data and through-flow amounts. In most cases the geometrical data involve diameter (or characteristic dimensions of the cross-section of the passage of the temperature control branch) of the individual temperature control branches of the temperature control system. If series-connected temperature control branches of the temperature control system have different characteristic dimensions, for example diameters, then for the discussions hereinafter reference is to be made to the largest characteristic dimension or the largest diameter.

If for example there is a relationship between a mean tool wall temperature and the through-flow amount (that can be ascertained empirically or by simulation) it may be advantageous if the previously ascertained relationship is expressed by means of Reynolds numbers, a Reynolds number is predetermined and the reference or target through-flow amount is determined on the basis of the predetermined Reynolds number. That can be effected quite easily by the general formula for the Reynolds number (Re):

${Re} = {\frac{\omega \cdot d}{v}.}$

In that respect ω is the mean velocity of the flow of the temperature control medium, d is a characteristic dimensioning—in this case mostly a diameter of a passage of a temperature control branch—and ν is a kinematic viscosity of the temperature control medium.

As the Reynolds number is suitable for distinguishing between laminar and turbulent flow it may be advantageous for the operator to select a Reynolds number in the turbulent range. In most cases, when using water as the temperature control medium, the transition from laminar to turbulent flow will begin at a Reynolds number of about 3,200 and will be concluded at a Reynolds number of 10,000. Therefore a Reynolds number of over 10,000 should be adopted as in that range there is a particular lack of sensitivity (robustness) of the tool wall temperature in relation to fluctuations in the through-flow amounts. Reynolds numbers of greater than 15,000, 20,000, 25,000 or 30,000 are particularly preferred. The reference through-flow amount of the temperature control medium must be so great, that the resulting Reynolds number is numerically in one of the above-specified ranges.

The Reynolds numbers can be easily calculated when using another temperature control medium.

In that respect it may also be advantageous to take account of a temperature dependency of the kinematic viscosity of the temperature control medium in the formula for the Reynolds number.

To ensure homogeneous temperature control of the shaping tool it is preferably provided that a relationship between mean temperature differences in the at least one temperature control branch and through-flow amounts of the temperature control medium is measured and when setting the reference through-flow amount the relationship between mean temperature differences of the at least one temperature branch and the through-flow amounts is taken into consideration.

In that respect it can be provided that one through-flow amount is determined only having regard to the previously ascertained relationship between geometrical data and through-flow amounts and a further through-flow amount is determined only having regard to the measured relationship between mean temperature differences and through-flow amounts and the maximum of the one through-flow amount and the further through-flow amount is set as the reference through-flow amount for the temperature control medium.

It can however also be provided that a mean of the one through-flow amount and the further through-flow amount is set. It is possible in that way to reach a compromise between economy and quality of the injection molding products made.

In the most user-friendly situation open or closed loop control to the reference through-flow amount is to be implemented by a setting member having an actuator in the temperature control branches. Naturally manual control is also conceivable, in which case the reference through-flow amount is communicated to the operator by means of a visual display device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an injection molding machine;

FIG. 2 is a graph showing mean tool wall temperature and through-flow amount; and

FIG. 3 is a graph showing through-flow amount and the temperature of the temperature control medium.

FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic view of a shaping working machine in the form of an injection molding machine, in the region of a shaping or mold tool 3 having an electronic open or closed loop control device 1 according to the invention. The above-described method can be in the form of a setting assistant in the open or closed loop control device 1. It has an input device 8, a computing unit 9, a memory unit 10 and an output device 11.

It is possible to see parallel temperature control branches 2 through which a temperature control medium (here: water) flows through the shaping tool 3. The temperature of the temperature control medium in the feed 5 to the shaping tool 3 can be ascertained by a temperature sensor 4 which is in signal-transmitting connection with the open or closed loop control device 1. A respective further temperature sensor is arranged in the return from the respective temperature control branch. It is also possible to see a respective through-flow amount sensor 7 for each temperature control branch, these are here also arranged in the returns from the latter. Preferably a temperature control medium distributor in accordance with AT 12 213 U1 is used. The sensors 4, 4′, 7 are already integrated therein.

Illustrated by way of example for each temperature control branches 2 is an actuator 12 which sets the through-flow amounts.

In regard to FIGS. 2 and 3 it is assumed that the numerical values specified therein were calculated for a temperature control medium in the form of water, FIG. 3 being based on a predetermined Reynolds number Re of 20,000.

FIG. 2 shows along the ordinate the mean tool wall temperature in degrees Celsius and along the abscissa the through-flow amount in liters per minute of the temperature control medium in a temperature control branch 2. In the region of the origin it is possible to see a very severe change in the mean tool wall temperature upon a variation in the through-flow amount. In contrast remote from the origin scarcely any change in the mean tool wall temperature is to be noted upon a variation in the through-flow amount. Here robust operation of the temperature control device is therefore possible. If there is a wish to operate in the robust region economically in the sense of energy consumption of the temperature control device then in the graph in FIG. 2 operation will be established as far to the left as possible in the robust region. A possible operating point of that nature is illustrated by way of example by a vertical line. That corresponds to a Reynolds number Re of 20,000. Depending on how robustly and/or economically operation is to be implemented, it is possible to select the operating point in FIG. 2 further to the left or further to the right. An operating point placed further to the right requires more energy but has the advantage of a shorter cycle time, while an operating point placed further to the left requires less energy but has the disadvantage of a longer cycle time and a lower level of robustness. The illustrated Reynolds number of 20,000 represents an advantageous compromise in that respect. The configuration of the relationship between mean tool wall temperature and through-flow amount is independent of the tool, plasticised plastic material and so forth.

FIG. 3 shows along the ordinate the through-flow amount of the temperature control medium in a temperature control branch 2 in liters per minute and along the abscissa the temperature of the temperature control medium, ascertained by the temperature sensor 4, in the feed 5, in degrees Celsius. The minimum required through-flow amount which is required to achieve a predetermined Reynolds number Re can be ascertained by means of this graph. The illustrated graph applies to a Reynolds number Re of 20,000 and water as the temperature control medium. Families of curves for different bore diameters are shown, for example a minimum through-flow amount of 4.5 liters per minute occurs independently of the shaped part produced, the tool used and so forth with a feed temperature of 60° C. when using water and a bore diameter of 10 mm.

The above-described method of establishing the minimum reference through-flow amount can be carried out for each of the temperature control branches 2.

It can preferably be provided that the described method of ascertaining the minimum reference through-flow amounts is carried out in the on-going shaping process. 

1. A method of temperature control of a shaping tool or components of a shaping working machine by means of a temperature control medium disposed in at least one temperature control branch of a temperature control system, wherein a previously ascertained relationship between geometrical data of the at least one temperature control branch and through-flow amounts of the temperature control medium is provided and a reference through-flow amount is set by means of the previously ascertained relationship for the geometrical data of the at least one temperature control branch.
 2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the geometrical data include at least a diameter—or in the case of non-circular cross-sections a characteristic dimension equivalent to the diameter—of a passage of the at least one temperature control branch.
 3. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the previously ascertained relationship is expressed by means of Reynolds numbers, a Reynolds number is predetermined and the reference through-flow amount is determined on the basis of the predetermined Reynolds number.
 4. A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the through-flow amount is so set that the resulting Reynolds number is greater than or equal to the predetermined Reynolds number.
 5. A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein a temperature of the temperature control medium is taken into consideration for expressing the previously ascertained relationship by means of Reynolds numbers.
 6. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein a relationship between mean temperature differences in at least one temperature control branch and through-flow amounts of the temperature control medium is measured and when setting the reference through-flow amount the relationship between mean temperature differences of the at least one temperature branch and the through-flow amounts is taken into consideration.
 7. A method as set forth in claim 6 wherein one through-flow amount is determined only having regard to the previously ascertained relationship between geometrical data and through-flow amounts and a further through-flow amount is determined only having regard to the measured relationship between mean temperature differences and through-flow amounts and the maximum of the one through-flow amount and the further through-flow amount is set as the reference through-flow amount for the temperature control medium.
 8. An electronic open or closed loop control device for a temperature control device of a shaping working machine for open or closed loop controlling a through-flow amount of a temperature control medium through a temperature control branch, having an input device, a computing unit, a memory unit and an output device, wherein a previously ascertained relationship between geometrical data of the at least one temperature branch and through-flow amounts of the temperature control medium is stored in the memory unit and a reference through-flow amount can be calculated by the computing unit in dependence on geometrical data, which are inputted by way of the input device, of the at least one temperature control branch by means of the previously ascertained relationship and can be communicated to the output device.
 9. A control device as set forth in claim 8 wherein the output device is in the form of an actuator for at least one setting member of the temperature control branch.
 10. A control device as set forth in claim 8 wherein the output device is in the form of a visual display device.
 11. A control device as set forth in claim 8 wherein the geometrical data include at least a diameter—or in the case of non-circular cross-sections a characteristic dimension equivalent to the diameter—of a passage of the at least one temperature control branch.
 12. A control device as set forth in claim 8 wherein the previously ascertained relationship is expressed by means of Reynolds numbers, a Reynolds number can be predetermined by means of the input device and the reference through-flow amount can be determined on the basis of the predetermined Reynolds number by the computing unit.
 13. A control device as set forth in claim 12 wherein the through-flow amount can be so set that it corresponds to the predetermined Reynolds number.
 14. A control device as set forth in claim 12 wherein the computing unit is so adapted that it takes account of a temperature of the temperature control medium for expressing the previously ascertained relationship by means of Reynolds numbers.
 15. A control device as set forth in claim 8 wherein there is provided at least one temperature sensor for ascertaining a temperature of the temperature control medium.
 16. An arrangement comprising a control or regulating device as set forth in claim 8 and a temperature control device.
 17. A shaping working machine, in particular an injection molding machine, die casting machine or press machine, comprising an arrangement as set forth in claim
 16. 